Delay gives New Orleans judge opportunity to rule on pending motions

A person familiar with the decision says former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue will rule Tuesday afternoon on the latest round of player appeals in the NFL's bounty probe, and that any potential punishment will be delayed by a week.

Hearings in the NFL bounty probe of the Saints have resumed with witness appearances by former Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress, Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt and linebacker Jonathan Vilma.

The person says the delay is designed to give a federal judge in New Orleans the opportunity to rule on pending motions to throw out the suspensions and remove Tagliabue as the appointed arbitrator for these player appeals to the league. The person spoke to The Associated Press Monday on condition of anonymity because no rulings have been announced.

The NFL's decision to delay potential sanctions for four current or former Saints means linebacker Jonathan Vilma and defensive end Will Smith may play Sunday when New Orleans hosts Tampa Bay.